Education Community

 Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has penned an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to grant approval for the NEET Exemption Bill. The bill, aimed at exempting the state from the centralized medical entrance exam, has faced strong opposition from the Tamil Nadu government. Despite being reintroduced in the state assembly and securing its passage, the bill still awaits the governor’s endorsement. #NEET எனும் கொடிய துயரத்தை ஒழிக்க நாம் மேற்கொள்ளும் பல்வேறு முயற்சிகளில் மாண்புமிகு குடியரசுத் தலைவர் திருமதி. திரவுபதி முர்மு அவர்களுக்கு எழுதியுள்ள இந்தக் கடிதமும் ஒன்று!#NEET-ஐ ஒழிக்கும் வரை நாம் ஓயமாட்டோம்! This letter to Hon'ble President Tmt. Droupadi Murmu is one among… pic.twitter.com/8A8VK7cT3g — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 14, 2023 The catalyst for this letter was the tragic incident involving a NEET aspirant and his father in Chennai, who reportedly took their own lives. In his correspondence, the Chief Minister underlined, “Every day of delay in implementing this bill not only deprives deserving candidates of valuable medical seats but also costs our society irreplaceable human lives.” Stalin appealed to the President for swift assent to the bill. He also emphasized the need to place all matters directly affecting people under the ambit of the state list in the Constitution, particularly the realm of education. He expressed that only by transferring education to the state list could methods like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) be completely scrapped.

 During his address on the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly declared that India has exceeded its green targets well ahead of schedule, setting an example for the global fight against climate change. He highlighted India’s innovative initiatives, including the “Life Mission,” which seeks to curtail reckless resource consumption. Notably, India has formed influential international alliances such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and International Big Cat Alliance. Amid the worldwide struggle with climate change, PM Modi underscored India’s proactive approach in addressing the issue. He announced that India accomplished its renewable energy goal a remarkable nine years before the intended timeline. Furthermore, the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” vision, introduced at the ISA assembly in 2018, has gained global traction, aiming to unite 140 nations through a shared solar power transmission network. Looking forward, India’s ambition of generating 500 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030, incorporating hydro and nuclear sources, stands as a testament to its dedication. The nation’s solar energy capacity has soared by 26-fold in the last nine years, reaching 70 GW by June 2023. ISA, initiated by PM Modi and former French President Francois Hollande in 2015, fosters cooperation among solar-abundant countries for mutual solar energy utilization. Additionally, the CDRI initiative, focusing on bolstering infrastructure resilience against natural and human-induced disasters, attracts governments, experts, and organizations. The International Big Cat Alliance, targeting the safeguarding of seven major big cat species, has global conservation at its core – encompassing tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, pumas, jaguars, and cheetahs.

The Ministry of Education has extended a special invitation to a distinguished group of 50 school teachers to participate as honoured guests in the 77th Independence Day celebration at the historic Red Fort. These teachers have been carefully chosen for their exceptional dedication and unwavering commitment to shaping and nurturing students in their respective fields. The Department of School Education and Literacy has taken the initiative to invite these educators, all of whom come from schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan (KVS) across the nation. Over a span of two days, starting from today (August 14) until tomorrow (August 15), the teachers will be engaged in a variety of activities. These include visits to notable sites such as India Gate, War Memorial, and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, where they will pay tribute to soldiers at the Kartavya Path. Additionally, they are scheduled to partake in an interactive session with Union Minister of State, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh. The government’s invitation serves as a recognition of the invaluable contributions made by teachers, who play an indispensable role in moulding the future of the country through their resolute commitment. The invitation eloquently conveys the nation’s gratitude for their role in imparting knowledge, values, and skills to the younger generation.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a draft plan for the development of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), outlining strategies such as private sector collaboration for funding, faculty evaluation based on rankings, and the establishment of a supportive “emotional infrastructure.” The main goal of these guidelines, according to UGC Chief M Jagadesh Kumar, is to assist universities and colleges in achieving academic, administrative, and financial self-reliance. Under the updated guidelines, HEIs are now required to identify and prioritize various funding sources to enhance their financial infrastructure. These sources include government grants, alumni contributions, partnerships with private sector entities, and fundraising campaigns. Furthermore, HEIs must devise sustainable revenue models that draw from multiple avenues. These encompass student tuition fees, government grants, subsidies, earnings from research projects in collaboration with both government and private sector entities, as well as endowments. The revised draft emphasizes that for a well-established HEI, each funding source should ideally contribute a similar percentage to the overall revenue. The proportion may vary based on the institution’s size. To boost revenue, HEIs are advised to expand their undergraduate programs to attract more students. The draft also introduces the concept of faculty ranking, primarily centered on research-focused Academic Performance Indicators (API) scores. This ranking system aims to incentivize faculty members by offering additional benefits. The guidelines suggest that implementing this ranking system through university policy can lead to increased motivation among faculty. As a result, faculty members will strive for excellence to improve their annual rankings, potentially reducing the need for excessive oversight.

The Government of India has approved the establishment of research parks at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) as part of an initiative to foster scientific and technological advancements. The primary aim of these research parks is to bolster the research ecosystem and promote collaboration between academia and industry, according to an official announcement. Apart from IISc Bangalore, the research parks will be set up at IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Gandhinagar. As stated by the government, the research parks at IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Delhi are currently in operation, while the others are nearing completion in their final stages. The objectives of these Research Parks encompass forging research partnerships with leading industries, facilitating student entrepreneurship and incubation, establishing strong ties between academia and industry, enhancing industry’s involvement in academic programs through close collaboration, and expanding the reach of academic content to the industrial sector. Typically, these Research Parks are established within higher education institutions across the country, as highlighted in the press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

IIT Hyderabad and Kathmandu University have joined hands to offer a Joint Doctoral Programme (JDP) at the PhD level, encompassing various research domains. The collaboration aims to strengthen ties between the institutions and foster academic and research partnerships. Under this program, students will have the opportunity to spend a year at the partner university and receive a scholarship during their stay. Additionally, both institutes plan to collaborate on areas like science, technology, design, medical innovations, and heritage science. The partnership also involves faculty exchange to address shared challenges. The MoU for this joint initiative was signed by Professor BS Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, and Professor Bhola Thapa, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University. The goal is to promote knowledge exchange and create a conducive environment for research and innovation.

The Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, and the Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. S Jaishankar, jointly inaugurated the Study in India (SII) portal. This dedicated website aims to provide comprehensive information about higher education institutions (HEIs) in India, promoting the country as an attractive destination for international students. The Study in India portal will showcase various academic programs offered by HEIs, encompassing undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral courses, and courses in the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) such as Yoga, Ayurveda, and classical arts, among others. Prospective students can explore details about academic facilities, research support, and other relevant information available at these institutes. One of the portal’s key features is the ability for students to apply to multiple institutes and courses of their choice through a streamlined and well-organized application process. It serves as a one-stop platform for student registration, visa application, course selection, and receiving offer letters from the chosen institute. The Study in India program will partner with educational institutions meeting specific criteria, including National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking of <=100, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation score of >=3.01, and Institutes of National Importance (INI). Under the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) auspices, the program’s primary objective is to attract a higher number of international students to India by offering affordable and high-quality education in line with global standards. The Education Minister highlighted that the SII portal reflects the commitment to make India a preferred education destination and to foster academic inclusivity, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP). The Union Minister for External Affairs emphasized that the portal signifies the government’s dedication to position India as a global education hub, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. The launch event witnessed the presence of ambassadors from over 10 countries and students currently studying in India from Russia, Thailand, Japan, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Korea. The Study in India portal is expected to facilitate and simplify the academic journey of international students, further elevating India’s status as an excellent educational hotspot.

IIT Madras is set to revolutionize the field of energy education with the launch of a groundbreaking course titled ‘Applied Petroleum Engineering & Hydrogen Energy’ (PGPEH). In partnership with Zemblance Hydrocarbons Private Limited, the university’s Digital Skills Academy is offering a post-graduate level advanced certification program that breaks away from the traditional norms. Breaking barriers, this web-enabled hybrid program combines diverse courses in petroleum engineering, renewable energies, and hydrogen energy. Remarkably, applicants do not need a GATE score to be eligible for this course. The initiative aims to address industry needs by upskilling and enhancing employability for engineering graduates and working professionals. The mastermind behind this venture is Professor Rajesh Nair, leading the program, with invaluable support from Zemblance Hydrocarbons and IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation. The collaboration includes Ed4All, ensuring the program’s reach extends to Africa, Latin America, South Asia, the USA, the UK, and the Middle East. The program doesn’t rely solely on online assessments; it incorporates offline exams held at various centers across India for comprehensive evaluation and qualification of participants. The inaugural date is set to be Teachers Day, September 5, 2023. Candidates eligible for this program include engineering and technology graduates, those with Master’s degrees in relevant science subjects, and working professionals in the oil and gas industries or related fields. As an additional advantage, the course will feature a stellar lineup of professors from IIT-Madras and experienced industry experts from distinguished organizations such as ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, GAIL (India), and Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited. Their practical insights will enrich the web-enabled learning experience. For those seeking more information on this transformative program, they can reach out to info@zemblance.com or visit the course details on https://digitalskills.pravartak.org.in/course_details.php?courseID=70&cart or zemblance.com. This pioneering initiative by IIT Madras promises to reshape the future of energy education and workforce development, bridging the gap between academia and industry needs on a global scale.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently entered into 15 memorandum of understandings (MoUs) to support the advancement of Skill Education, Assessment, and Capacity building of teachers. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which stresses the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry. The goal is to update the curriculum to meet industry requirements and offer internships and apprenticeships to students for valuable industry exposure. Equally important is enhancing teachers’ abilities to achieve the desired outcomes. CBSE has joined hands with various organizations for skill development, education, and training. Among them are Atal Innovation Mission, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and various sector skill councils such as Apparel Made-Ups and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council, Automotive Sector Skill Council, Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure Skills Council, Logistics Sector Skill Council, Furniture and Fittings Sector Skill Council, Life Sciences Sector Skill Council, Textiles Sector Skill Council, and Healthcare Sector Skill Council. The sector skill councils will contribute by creating skill modules and study materials for different levels, organizing competitions and hackathons for students, and providing teacher training. Educational Initiatives Pvt. Ltd and Oxford University Press India will play a role in developing Training Manuals for Competency Based Capacity Building Programme (CBP) in subjects like English, Maths, Science, and Social Science. They will also update the existing CBP for strengthening Assessment and Evaluation and create training materials for the development of Capacity Building Programme (CBP) on National Curriculum Framework Foundational Stage (NCF-FS), according to CBSE’s statement.